1,210 of the
7,968 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Traverse
are about the engine —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
The car starts it self and then shuts off all by it self. It has done this twice that we know of. Its impossible to do this even if your keys are in your pocket as you have to hit 3 different buttons to do this. I am not the only one having this issue as there are people complaining on FB that their car does the same thing.
NHTSA complaint #11762307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front intermediate exhaust pipe mounting bracket weld fractured at the engine manifold, causing the exhaust pipe to break completely loose. We can now actively smell raw exhaust fumes inside the passenger cabin while operating the vehicle, creating an immediate safety hazard for carbon monoxide poisoning and driver disorientation. Additionally, the heavy steel exhaust system is completely unsupported at the front, creating an imminent risk of the pipe falling and dragging on the roadway at highway speeds, which could cause a catastrophic crash. The vehicle began getting progressively louder during cold weather between late 2025 and early 2026. A certified Chevrolet dealership technician officially inspected the vehicle, filmed an inspection video confirming this exact structural failure, and attempted to submit it for warranty coverage. GM Corporate denied the claim solely because my VIN is excluded from Special Coverage N212356540, despite the vehicle suffering from the identical manufacturing defect described in the bulletin. I possess the official dealer repair receipt and the technician's inspection video as proof.
NHTSA complaint #11761853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that over time the sound became louder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked front exhaust pipe and battery failure. The contact was informed that the front exhaust pipe and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 84,701.
NHTSA complaint #11759199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle had large puddle of antifreeze under drivers front of vehicle. Antifreeze reservoir was completely empty upon opening the hood. There is an active drip of antifreeze under the car as displayed by placing a clean piece of cardboard under the vehicle. There were no indicator lights displaying a problem on the dashboard. Upon using an endoscopic camera, there is an active leak at the hose on the radiator. If I had not noticed the active leak, I would have driven the vehicle and overheated the engine with the possibility of seizing the engine. Vehicle is in service currently at Superior Chevrolet. There is a known issue under Special Bulletin N262546590 for the seal at the quick connect inlet on the radiator.
NHTSA complaint #11759125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The welding that holds the exhaust together has failed. They offer a Special Warranty to cover only the passenger side, however it has failed and exhaust is super loud. Also reading 4 codes from check engine alert. All are P0420 (cat convertor). The smell of exhaust and cat convertor is super disgusting
NHTSA complaint #11757809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a loud sound coming from the exhaust pipes, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate, with exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the exhaust mounting bracket had failed, causing the exhaust pipes to separate and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer-extended coverage that was associated with the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11757347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a serious safety incident involving my 2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS AWD, with approximately 34,378 miles. On or about [XXX], while the vehicle was being driven near Sarasota Florida at approximately 25 mph, it suddenly lost propulsion and all electrical power. The instrument panel, displays and vehicle electrical systems went completely dark. The vehicle was completely dead and would not restart. Police subsequently jump-started it, but the vehicle’s systems did not initially operate normally. This vehicle previously experienced another complete electrical-power failure while parked overnight, and the dealership has a record of that incident. Following the in-motion shutdown, the dealership performed a complete software flash using USB and stated that a software problem may have caused a parasitic battery draw. I understand how a parasitic draw could discharge the battery while the vehicle is parked. However, I have not received an adequate explanation of why the vehicle lost all electrical power while the engine was running and the charging system should have been supplying power. I am requesting that General Motors open a formal product-safety case, review the dealership’s diagnostic and programming records, determine the complete cause of the in-motion shutdown, and provide written confirmation of the tests and repairs performed. Please provide me with the GM case number and escalate the matter for appropriate technical or field review. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11755615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping and there was a delay while the transmission was shifting gears. The vehicle was sputtering and jerking while driving. While turning out of a driveway and driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and informed that there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but referred the owner back to the local dealer for assistance. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,970.
NHTSA complaint #11753792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the engine warning light illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75.
NHTSA complaint #11752054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GM published bulletin PIP5681A on 10/05/20 regarding defective welds on the exhaust brackets near the catalytic converter. I had the same exact weld failure and GM is not honoring the warranty coverage, even though their bulletin said that all 2020 Traverse SUVs were included.
NHTSA complaint #11751117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shifting into gears, there is a delay shifting into the next gear, there is bucking like its going to stall, it happens in traffic. I am worried it will stall and I will be in an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11749785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:FILTER/SCREEN
The contact owned a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, where a leaking oil pan gasket was diagnosed. Although the vehicle had been taken to the dealer two months prior, the dealer did not find the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, where a leaking oil pan gasket was diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred on a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse he owned. Although the vehicle had been taken to the dealer two months prior, the dealer did not find the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,400.
NHTSA complaint #11749147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS, VIN [XXX]. This vehicle has repeated safety-related failures involving the engine/cooling system, fuel-injector/misfire system, steering-assist warning system, and electronic parking brake system. The vehicle is currently at AutoNation Chevrolet West Austin, dropped off on XXX, and is available for inspection. Soon after delivery, the vehicle began losing coolant and overheating. This was not isolated. Before the engine was finally replaced, there were at least four documented coolant/overheating-related dealer visits or repair notes: XXX. The problem repeated again on XXX, becoming the fifth coolant/overheating-related visit and resulting in GM/dealer-authorized engine replacement after internal coolant-related findings. Dealer records show low/empty coolant reservoir, overheating, fan-running symptoms, almost one gallon of coolant added, no external leak found, coolant dye added, GM TAC involvement, and internal coolant findings. After engine replacement, the vehicle continued to fail. In February 2026, it displayed check-engine light and “Steering Assist Reduced / Power Steering Reduced.” The dealer confirmed misfire and replaced cylinder 1 fuel injector. In April/May 2026, the vehicle displayed a service parking brake warning; the dealer documented left rear parking brake actuator high current. Now, on XXX, the vehicle is again at the dealer for blinking check-engine light, and the dealer advised the code shows another engine misfire. My family’s safety is at risk. Repeated overheating, engine replacement, steering-assist warning, parking brake warning, and recurring misfire create unsafe drivability risk, especially on highways, merging, intersections, or long trips. I no longer feel safe operating this vehicle INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11748236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal to accelerate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a hole in the exhaust system causing the acceleration failure. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the waiting period suggested. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #11747387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal to accelerate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a hole in the exhaust system causing the acceleration failure. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the waiting period suggested. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #11747387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust system detached after scraping the underside of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted, however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
NHTSA complaint #11746177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.